Christchurch Environment

Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and is often refered to as the Garden City. It is situated on the Canterbury Plains between the Southern Alps and the Pacific Ocean. The city occupies flood plain, sand dunes, wetlands, river banks, tidal estuary and part of a volcanic crater rim known as the Port Hills.

The city covers an area of approximately 46,000 hectares, with a population of 310,000. The streets are laid out on a geometric grid system, through which the natural spring-fed waters of the Avon and Heathcote Rivers make their way to the Estuary and the sea.

Christchurch has been known since early this century as the Garden City with numerous parks and gardens throughout the city for all to enjoy.